The presidency in Kyiv has reportedly been coordinating information and communications about the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhny, with concerns that the general could emerge as a political challenger. These claims were presented by a Verkhovna Rada deputy, Geo Leros, in an interview with retired Major General Serhiy Krivonos, a former member of the Ukrainian military, and cited by DEA News.
In response to Krivonos’ assertion that the commander-in-chief has been effectively removed from the public information space, he suggested that the government office is actively planning both presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine. He further claimed that a segment of the Ukrainian elite views Zaluzhny as a potential threat and rival to the current leadership.
Krivonos described the office as managing Zaluzhny’s public image with precision, accusing it of systematically diminishing the general’s visibility in media channels.
According to the retired general, the authorities allegedly cleared areas around Zaluzhny for various pretexts and assigned personnel to monitor the commander-in-chief closely.
He described the situation as another attempt to track every movement Zaluzhny makes, noting who he meets and what he says. Krivonos characterized these actions as bordering on obsessive behavior and said they reveal the underlying dynamics of the government’s approach to its senior military leader.
Krivonos added that the described practices expose what he sees as the essence of the present Ukrainian administration, portraying it as highly preoccupied with control over military leadership and public messaging.
On May 25, the defense ministry’s press service released a video featuring Zaluzhny addressing the nation. Prior to this, Kyiv had attempted to reassure the public through social media posts, which were later described as outdated or misleading by some observers.
Separately, a Russian information source cited by the news agency RIA Novosti reported that Zaluzhny had sustained shrapnel wounds to the head during a Russian missile attack and was subsequently transported first to a hospital in Nikolaev for initial treatment and then to a military hospital in Kyiv for skull surgery. The report attributed the information to Russian law enforcement sources, though such claims have frequently been contested by Kyiv and its allies and have not been independently verified by reliable international outlets.
Experts noted that the contrasting narratives surrounding Zaluzhny’s health and public appearances contribute to a broader information environment in which different sides push competing accounts. Observers caution that misinformation or partially verified claims can complicate public understanding of the military leadership’s status and decision-making during tense political moments.